BEST OF NORTH INDIA WITH WILDLIFE & KATHMANDU
Day 01:
Delhi Arrival
Company representatives will receive you on arrival at the international airport in Delhi late in the evening. Transfer to your hotel. Relax.
DELHI, the capital of kingdoms and empires is now a sprawling metropolis with a fascinating blend of the past and the present. It is a perfect introduction to the composite culture of an ancient land. A window to the kaleidoscope - that is India.
Overnight at Delhi.
Day 02:
Delhi
Breakfast at Delhi. Proceed for a full day tour of Old & New Delhi.
OLD DELHI - A sightseeing tour of Old Delhi would entail visiting the Raj Ghat - the memorial site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated; Jama Masjid - the largest mosque in India and the Red Fort - once the most opulent fort and palace of the Moghul Empire.
Cycle rickshaw ride from Jama Masjid to Chandni Chowk.
NEW DELHI - An extensive sightseeing tour of New Delhi would include a visit to the Humayun’s Tomb, the Qutub Minar, a drive along the ceremonial avenue - Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate, Parliament House, the President’s Residence and would end with a drive through the Diplomatic Enclave.
Relax in the evening.
Overnight at Delhi.
Day 03:
Delhi – Jaipur
By Surface: 240 Km 5 Hrs.
After breakfast drive to beautiful Pink City – Jaipur.
Reach and check in at hotel.
JAIPUR - The origins of the beautiful city of Jaipur can be traced back to the eighteenth century, during the reign of Jai Singh II who ascended the Amber throne in 1699. Jaipur today, epitomizes the spirit of Rajputana. In-spite of growing into a bustling metropolis, it still retains it's character and history - A beautiful fusion of the yesteryears and modernity. Popularly known as the Pink City because of the extensive use of the locally abundant pink plastered stone, painted so in honor of the visit of the royal consort of Queen Victoria. Jaipur thrills the soul with its massive forts, magnificent palaces, exquisite temples and lush gardens.
After lunch proceed for sightseeing of the city.
CITY PALACE - A delightful blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani architecture, the City Palace sprawls over one-seventh of the area in the walled city. It houses the Chandra Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace Museum.
JANTAR MANTAR - This is the largest and the best preserved of the five observatories built by Jai Singh II in different parts of the country. This observatory consisting of outsized astronomical instruments is still in use.
HAWA MAHAL - The ornamental facade of this "Palace of Winds" is a prominent landmark in Jaipur. Its five-storey structure of sandstone plastered pink encrusted with fine trelliswork and elaborate balconies. The palace has 953 niches and windows. Built in 1799 by Pratap Singh, the Mahal was a royal grandstand for the palace women.
Overnight at Jaipur.
Day 04:
Jaipur – Ranthambhore:
By surface: 180 Km 3 Hrs.
Breakfast at hotel.
Proceed for excursion to Amber Fort in the outskirts of Jaipur. Elephant ride ascent to the fort.
AMBER FORT PALACE - Amber is the classic romantic Rajasthani fort palace. Its construction was started by Man Singh I in 1592, and completed by his descendent Jai Singh I. It’s forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise where a beautiful fusion of Mughal and Hindu styles finds it's ultimate expression. After visiting the Amber fort drive to Ranthambhore.
Ranthambore is a national park and tiger reserve in Rajasthan state of western India. It is located in Sawai Madhopur district of south-eastern Rajasthan, about 130 km from Jaipur, which is also the nearest airport. The nearest town and railway station is at Sawai Madhopur, 11 km away.
The park lies at the edge of a plateau, and is bounded to the north by the Banas River and to the south by the Chambal River. There are several lakes in the park. It is named for the historic Ranthambore fortress, which lies within the national park. The park covers an area of 392 km², and is famous for its tiger population, and is one of India's Project Tiger reserves. Other major wild animals include the leopard, dhole, wild pig, sambar`, chital and the gaur.
Major wild animals found in the national park include the tiger, leopard, nilgai, dhole, wild pig, sambar, chital and the gaur. It is also home to wide variety of trees, plants, birds and reptiles.
In the afternoon, proceed for the safari in the jungle.
Overnight stay will be at the Hotel.
Day 05:
Ranthambhore:
You have full day game viewing inside the jungle (two safaris).
Overnight stay will be at the hotel.
Day 06:
Ranthambhore – Fatehpur sikri - Agra:
By Train: Kota Jan shatabadi: Dep: 06:15 Arr:08:45
After breakfast our company representative will give you transfer to the Railway station for the train to Bharatpur, reach and drive to Agra. En-route visit Fatehpur sikri.
The deserted, red Sandstone City, Emperor Akbar built that as his capital and palace in the late 16th century is an exhilarating experience. It a veritable fairytale city and its "ruins" are in pristine condition ... it's not hard to imagine what the court life must have been like in the days of it’s grandeur. Also visit the Bulund Darwaza, the largest gateway in the world.
Continue drive to agra, reach and transfer to the hotel.
AGRA: Two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and Shah Jahan, transformed the little village of Agra into a befitting second capital of the Mughal Empire - giving it the name Dar-ul-Khilafat {seat of the Emperor}. Today a visitor to Agra is caught up in a world of contrasting edifices, of red sandstone and white marble, narrow galleys and quaint buggies, and that irresistible charm that this favorite city of the Mughals still retains. It is not surprising, that modern Agra still reflects its Mughal heritage most conspicuously. A walk down the narrow bustling streets of the city will introduce the visitor to the wafting aroma of Mughlai cuisine.
lunch proceed for the sightseeing of Agra, Enjoy battery van ride to the Taj.
TAJ MAHAL: Little needs to be said about this architectural wonder which is always the soul raison-de-etre for every tourist's visit to Agra. Built by Shah Jahan, the Taj is a white marble memorial to his beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal. This monument took 22 years to be completed and was designed, and planned by Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart from it’s stunning design balance and perfect symmetry, the Taj is also noted particularly for its elegant domes, intricately carved screens and some of the best inlay work ever seen. Proceed for sightseeing to the AGRA FORT - Built by the famed Mughal emperor Akbar in 1565 AD, the fort is predominantly of red sandstone. Ensconced within is the picture perfect Pearl Mosque, which is a major tourist attraction.
Visit Itmadullah’s Tomb built by Empress NOOR JEHAN in memory of her father (The interiors of which are considered better than the Taj).
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 07:
Agra – Orcha - Khajuraho:
By Train: Bhopal Jan shatabdi Dep time: 0758 hrs Arr Time: 1035 Hrs
Morning after breakfast transfer to railways station for train to Jhansi.
Upon arrival in Jhansi you will be received by our representative. Continue your journey towards Khajuraho.
Jhansi – Orchha – Khajuraho
By road 180 kms 4 hrs
Enroute visit Orchha, now a small hamlet in the state of Madhya Pradesh but once the capital of the formidable Bundela kings in medieval times. Attractions include Raj Mahal, Jahangir Mahal, Rai Parveen Mahal, Ram Raja Temple, Chaturbhuj Temple, and Laxmi Narayan Temple. On arrival at Khajuraho check into hotel. Spend rest of the day on leisure.
Overnight at Hotel
Day 08
Khajuraho –
After breakfast explore the Temple complex Proceed for the city tour in the Morning. Khajuraho is famous world over for the erotic temples built in the medieval times by the mighty kingdom of Chandelas with inspiration taken from Kamsutra - the celebrated Indian treatise on sex. The temples are divided into three groups Eastern, Western, and Southern. Kandariya Mahadeo is the most celebrated of all temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and famous for erotic sculpture on its walls.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 09
Khajuraho - Varanasi
Flight: 9W – 334 Dep: 1330 Hrs Arr: 1410 Hrs
After breakfast explore the Temple complex and Late in the afternoon our company representative will give you transfer to airport for the flight to Varanasi. Before departure do the sightseeing of Khajurahoi.
On arrival check in the hotel. Afternoon on leisure. Evening visit the Temple and explore the Pooja Ceremony.
About Varanasi
Standing on the western bank of India's holiest rever Ganges, Varanasi is the oldest surviving city of the world and the cultural capital of India. It is in the heart of this city that there stands in its fullest majesty the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in which is enshrined the Jyotirlinga of Shiva, Vishweshwara or Vishwanatha. Here gravitate the teeming millions of India to seek benediction and spiritual peace by the darshan of this Jyotirlinga which confers liberation from the bondages of maya and the inexorable entanglements of the world. A simple glimpse of the Jyotirlinga is a soul-cleansing experience that transforms life and puts it on the path of knowledge and bhakti. Vishweshwara jyotirlinga has a very special and unique significance in the spiritual history of India.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 10
Varanasi
Enjoy boating on the river Ganges in the dawn. Explore the city of Varanasi - the Spiritual capital of India after breakfast. Visit Ghats, Kashi Vishwanath Temple and other places.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 11
Varanasi – Kathmandu
Flight: IC-751 Dep:12:10 Arr:13:10
After breakfast explore the Kathmandu and surrounding palaces, In evening drive back to the hotel.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 12:
Kathmandu:
Tour of city visiting Kathmandu City, Swayambhunath Stupa etc. stay overnight at Hotel.
Day 13:
Kathamndu – Delhi - Home:
Flight: 9W-261Dep:15:45 Arr:17:50
After breakfast explore the Kathmandu, thereafter transfer to airport for flight to Delhi, reach and explore the Delhi market. Proceed for the DANCES OF INDIA SHOW in the evening. After the show you will have FAREWELL DINNER before reaching the airport for flight home with sweet memories of India.
